Modular Silencer Baffle Noise Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas turbine engines face significant noise issues due to the acoustical energy generated by compressor blades, which existing silencer baffles have not adequately addressed, leading to excess noise in air ducts.

Innovation Solution

A modular silencer baffle system comprising multiple baffle sections with mating interlock structures and sound absorption inserts, designed to be assembled within the air duct, utilizing a support structure and acoustic materials to absorb noise effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing silencer baffles are used in air ducts, then the structure is simple, but noise attenuation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelsVSAvoidbaffle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The silencer baffle is divided into multiple modular sections that can be coupled together using mating interlock structures. Each section contains sound absorption material and can be independently assembled, allowing the system to achieve high noise attenuation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If modular baffle sections are coupled together, then noise attenuation is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise attenuationVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support rod is extracted as a separate component that passes through the modular baffle sections, providing structural support while allowing each section to be independently assembled and coupled together through mating interlock structures, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple baffle sections are merged together through mating interlock structures to form a continuous silencer assembly, achieving high noise attenuation while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sound absorption material is added to baffle sections, then noise reduction is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelsVSAvoidbaffle section complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each modular baffle section is designed as a universal unit that combines structural support, sound absorption, and coupling capabilities. The standardized design allows the same basic module to be replicated and assembled in different configurations, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high noise attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The modular silencer baffle system significantly reduces noise levels within the air duct by utilizing sound absorption materials and a supportive structure, enhancing the aerodynamic shape and reducing load on duct panels, thereby improving noise attenuation.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing sound absorption materials and a supportive structure, enhancing the aerodynamic shape and reducing load on duct panels, thereby improving noise attenuation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3346100B1System and method for an improved inlet silencer baffle
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP3346100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3346100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3346100B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system includes a silencer baffle 28 which mounts in a fluid conduit 27along a fluid flow path. The silencer baffle includes a first baffle section 36 having first and second baffle portions which couple together laterally about a support structure extending between opposite sides of the fluid conduit.